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Abstract:

A puzzle game includes a first and a second group of several pieces each.
Several assemblies of pieces may be selected of the two groups. Three
pieces of the first group are different from each other by the piece
shape. Each of the pieces of the second group of pieces are different in
shape from each of the pieces of the first group. Each of the assemblies
forms an object, which objects are externally the same. Each of the
different assemblies includes at least one piece of the first group and
at least one piece of the second group. The formed objects are two or
three dimensional objects. Preferably, each of the formed objects
consists of identical cells. For example, the first and second groups
consist of respectively three and six pieces. Each of three assemblies
includes one piece and two pieces of the respective first and second
groups.

Claims:

1. A method for designing and constructing a puzzle game, the method
comprising: a) choosing a designed object; b) dividing said designed
object to four or more different designed parts, the designed parts being
different from each other by at least the part shape; c) splitting said
four or more designed parts to at least two sets, a first set of one or
more parts and a second set of three or more parts, each part of said
first set being adjacent prior to said dividing to at least two parts of
said second set; and d) designing and producing three or more pieces of a
group of pieces, each piece consisting of a first part and a second part,
said first part being selected of the parts of said first set, said
second part being selected of said at least two parts of said second set
being adjacent prior to said dividing to said first part.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising producing three or more parts
of said second set of three or more parts.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising producing three or more parts
of said second set of three or more parts and producing extra copies of
at least one of the parts of said second set of three or more parts and
of the pieces of the group of three or more pieces.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is performed using at least
one computer code and said method further comprises integrating said
parts and pieces into a computerized game enabling manipulation of said
parts and pieces and assembly of said designed object.

5. A puzzle game comprising: a) a first group of three or more pieces, at
least three of the three or more pieces of the first group being
different from each other by at least the piece shape; b) a second group
of three or more pieces, each of the pieces of the second group of three
and more pieces being different in shape from each of the pieces of said
first group of three or more pieces; and c) three or more different
assemblies of pieces selected of a united group of pieces, said united
group of pieces consisting of said first group and said second group,
each of said three or more different assemblies including at least one
piece of that first group and at least one piece of that second group;
and (d) each of the assemblies being able to form an object, the three or
more formed objects being substantially the same object regarding
external boundary,

6. The puzzle game of claim 5, wherein the formed objects are
two-dimensional objects.

7. The puzzle game of claim 5, wherein the formed objects are
three-dimensional objects.

8. The puzzle game of claim 5, wherein each of said objects consists of a
plurality of identical cells.

9. The puzzle game of claim 5, wherein that first group of includes three
different pieces, and that second group includes six pieces, and each of
the three or more assemblies includes one piece of that first group and
two pieces of that second group.

10. The puzzle game of claim 5, wherein every two shapely different
pieces of said united group of pieces are painted differently.

11. The puzzle game of claim 5 wherein the formed object are selected
from a group consisting of cubes, spheres, cylinders, boxes, bars,
pyramids, squares, rectangles, triangles, trapezoids and disks.

12. The puzzle game of claim 5 wherein each piece of the united group is
used in at least one of said three or more different assemblies.

13. The puzzle game of claim 5, wherein said puzzle game is a
computerized game.

14. A method for providing a puzzle game, the method comprising: a)
providing a first group of three or more pieces, at least three of the
three or more pieces being different from each other by at least the
piece shape; b) providing a second group of three or more pieces, each of
the pieces of that second group being different in shape from each of the
pieces of that first group; and c) allowing to manipulate the pieces of a
united group of pieces and to assemble three or more different assemblies
of pieces of said united group of pieces, said united group of pieces
consisting of that first group and that second group, each of the
assemblies forming an object, the three or more formed objects being
substantially the same object regarding external boundary, each of said
three or more different assemblies including at least one piece of that
first group and at least one piece of that second group.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the game is a computerized game, and
the pieces and the formed objects are virtual articles that a player is
able to sense.

16. A method for a server providing a puzzle game to a client computing
device, the method comprising: a) providing said client computing device
a first group of three or more pieces, at least three of the pieces of
that first group being different from each other by at least the piece
shape; b) providing said client computing device a second group of three
or more pieces, each of the pieces of that second group being different
in shape from each of the pieces of that first group; and c) allowing
manipulation of the pieces of a united group of pieces and allowing
assembly of three or more different assemblies of pieces selected of that
united group of pieces, said united group of pieces consisting of said
first group and said second group, each of the assemblies being able to
form an object, the three or more formed objects being substantially the
same object regarding external boundary, each of said three or more
different assemblies including at least one piece of said first group and
at least one piece of said second group.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said formed objects are
two-dimensional objects.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said formed objects are
three-dimensional objects.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein each of said formed objects consists
of a plurality of identical cells.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the method further comprises
interacting with said client computing device during manipulation of the
pieces of the united group and during assembly of said three or more
different assemblies.

21. A method for a puzzle game in a client computing device, said client
computing device being associated with a server, the method comprising:
a) receiving a first group of three or more pieces, at least three of the
pieces of that first group being different from each other by at least
the piece shape; b) receiving a second group of three or more pieces,
each of the pieces of the second group of three and more pieces being
different in shape from each of the pieces of that first group of three
and more pieces; and c) manipulating the pieces of a united group of
pieces, said united group of pieces consisting of that first group and
that second group; and d) assembling three or more different assemblies
of pieces of said united group of pieces, each of the assemblies forming
an object, the three or more formed objects being substantially the same
object regarding external boundary, each of said three or more different
assemblies including at least one piece of that first group and at least
one piece of that second group.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the method further comprises
interacting with said server during said manipulation of the pieces of
the united group and during assembly of said three or more different
assemblies.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said client computing device is
selected from a group consisting of personal computers, cellular phones,
portable media players and personal digital assistants.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said server and said client computing
are connected through the world wide web network.

[0002] The invention is in the field of indoor games and computerized
games, and in particular in the field of puzzles, including
three-dimensional combination puzzles or jigsaw games.

THE PRIOR ART

[0003] A puzzle game of the prior art is illustrated in FIG. 1. A
two-dimensional object is divided to five pieces. Someone disassembles
the object and a player tries to assemble it. The game designer
determines the number of pieces in accordance with a desired challenge:
up to ten pieces for infants and small kids, tens of pieces for children
and hundreds of pieces for youth or adults.

[0004] Usually, a picture is imprinted on the object, and the player
utilizes the piece outline, its content, color and texture to overcome
the assembly challenge. As mentioned, the game complexity is determined,
to much extent, by the number of pieces. Also, the similarity of various
pieces affects the challenge. To overcome the puzzle challenge, the
player uses determination, patience, imagination and systematic thinking.

[0005] The competitive field of games continuously calls for novel ideas
and greater variety. This is especially important in the field of
puzzles, which should nowadays overcome the fierce competition from a
variety of computer games and virtual reality games. Thus, it is an
objective of the present invention to add a new dimension of complexity
and interest to traditional puzzle games. Another objective of the
present invention is to introduce puzzle games into the realm of computer
technology and virtual reality. Further objective of the present
invention is to introduce puzzle games to mathematical education field,
as well as to field of occupational psychology. The embodiments given
bellow on the way of example may contribute to the achievement of those
objectives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is disclosed, for the first time, a method for designing and
constructing a puzzle game. The method comprises the steps of choosing a
designed object, dividing the designed object to four or more different
designed parts, splitting the four or more designed parts to at least two
sets, a first set of one or more parts and a second set of three or more
different parts, and designing and producing a group of three or more
pieces. The four or more different designed parts are different by at
least the part shape.

[0007] Each part of the first set is adjacent prior to the dividing to at
least two parts of the second set. Each piece of the group of three or
more pieces includes a first part and a second part. The first part is
selected of the parts of the first set, and the second part is selected
of the at least two parts of the second set that have been adjacent prior
to the dividing to the first part.

[0008] In some embodiments the method further comprises producing three or
more different parts of the second set of three or more different parts.

[0009] In some embodiments, the method is performed using at least one
computer code, and the method further comprises integrating the parts and
pieces into a computerized game enabling manipulation of the parts and
pieces and allowing assembly of the designed object.

[0010] It is provided for the first time, a puzzle game that comprises a
first group of three or more pieces, a second group of three or more
pieces, and three or more different assemblies of pieces selected of a
united group of pieces. At least three pieces of the first group of three
or more pieces are different from each other by at least the piece shape.
Each of the pieces of the second group of three and more pieces are
different in shape from each of the pieces of the first group of three or
more different pieces. The united group of pieces consists of the pieces
of the first group and the pieces of the second group. Each of the three
or more assemblies forms an object, and the three or more formed objects
are substantially the same object regarding external boundary. Each of
the three or more different assemblies includes at least one piece of the
first group and at least one piece of the second group.

[0011] In some embodiments, the formed objects are two-dimensional
objects.

[0012] In some embodiments, the formed objects are three-dimensional
objects.

[0013] In some embodiments, each of the formed objects consists of a
plurality of identical cells.

[0014] In some embodiments the first group consists of three different
pieces, and the second group consists of six pieces, and each of the
three or more assemblies includes one piece of the first group and two
pieces of the second group.

[0015] In some embodiments, every two pieces of the united group of pieces
which are shapely different from each other are also painted differently.

[0016] In some embodiments, the puzzle game is a computerized game.

[0017] It is disclosed for the first time a method for providing a puzzle
game, the method comprises the steps of providing a first group of three
or more pieces, providing a second group of three or more pieces, and
allowing to manipulate the pieces of a united group of pieces and to
assemble three or more different assemblies of pieces of the united group
of pieces. At least three of the three or more pieces of the first group
are different from each other by at least the piece shape. Each of the
pieces of the second group is different in shape from each of the pieces
of the first group. The united group of pieces consists of the first
group and the second group. Each of the three or more different
assemblies forms an object, and the three or more formed objects are
substantially the same object regarding external boundary. Each of the
three or more different assemblies includes at least one piece of the
first group and at least one piece of the second group.

[0018] In some embodiments, the game is a computerized game, and the
pieces and the formed objects are virtual articles that a player is able
to sense.

[0019] It is provided, for the first time, a method for a server providing
a puzzle game to a client computing device. The method comprises
providing the client computing device a first group of three or more
pieces, providing the client computing device a second group of three or
more pieces, and allowing manipulation of the pieces of a united group of
pieces and assembly of three or more different assemblies of pieces
selected of that united group of pieces.

[0020] At least three of the pieces of the first group are different from
each other by at least the piece shape. Each of the pieces of the second
group is different in shape from each of the pieces of the first group.
The united group of pieces consists of the first group and the second
group. Each of the three or more assemblies forms an object. The three or
more formed objects are substantially the same object regarding external
boundary. Each of the three or more different assemblies includes at
least one piece of the first group and at least one piece of the second
group.

[0021] In some embodiments, the method further comprises interacting with
the client computing device during manipulation of the pieces of the
united group and during assembly of the three or more different
assemblies.

[0022] It is provided a method for a puzzle game in a client computing
device. The client computing device is associated with a server, and the
method comprises receiving a first group of three or more different
pieces, receiving a second group of three or more pieces, manipulating
the pieces of a united group of pieces, and assembling three or more
different assemblies of pieces of the united group of pieces.

[0023] In some embodiments, the method further comprises interacting with
the server during the manipulation of the pieces of the united group and
during assembly of the three or more different assemblies.

[0024] In some embodiments, the client computing device is selected from a
group consisting of personal computers, cellular phones, portable media
players and personal digital assistants.

[0025] In some embodiments, the formed object is selected from a group
consisting of cubes, spheres, cylinders, boxes, bars, pyramids, squares,
rectangle, triangles, trapezoids and a disks.

[0026] In some embodiments, the server and the client computing are
connected through the world wide web network.

[0027] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent from the description bellow of several preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several
preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 1(Prior Art) presents a puzzle game of the prior art.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for designing and constructing a
puzzle game.

[0031] FIG. 3a shows the division of a rectangle into four parts.

[0032]FIG. 3b depicts a first assembly of three pieces forming a
rectangle.

[0033] FIG. 3c depicts a second assembly of three pieces forming a
rectangle.

[0034]FIG. 3d depicts a third assembly of three pieces forming a
rectangle.

[0038]FIG. 4d shows two identical pieces, each piece made of two parts.

[0039] FIG. 4e shows a piece made of two parts.

[0040] FIG. 5a shows a first assembly of three pieces that form a cube.

[0041]FIG. 5b shows a second assembly of three pieces that form a cube.

[0042]FIG. 5c shows a third assembly of three pieces that form a cube.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for providing a puzzle game.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a server method for providing a puzzle
game to a client computing device.

[0045]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for a puzzle game in a client
computing device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] The present invention will now be described in terms of specific
example embodiments. It is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to the example embodiments disclosed. It should also be
understood that not every feature of the methods and systems handling the
described puzzle game is necessary to implement the invention as claimed
in any particular one of the appended claims. Various elements and
features of devices are described to fully enable the invention. It
should also be understood that throughout this disclosure, where a method
is shown or described, the steps of the method may be performed in any
order or simultaneously, unless it is clear from the context that one
step depends on another being performed first.

[0047] Before explaining at least three embodiments of the invention in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being
practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose
of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0048] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used
herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary
skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods,
and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be
limiting.

[0049] In the description and claims of the present application, each of
the verbs "comprise", "include" and "have", and conjugates thereof, are
used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not
necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts
of the subject or subjects of the verb.

[0050] Manipulation of two articles includes bringing the articles closer,
rotating either one of the articles, attaching the two articles to one
another, and any combination thereof.

[0051] Assembly of several articles includes selection of the several
articles out of a group of more articles and bringing them close to each
other.

A First Preferred Embodiment

FIGS. 2,3

[0052] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method 5 for designing and constructing
a puzzle game. Method 5 comprises the steps of choosing 12 a designed
object, dividing 14 the designed object to four or more different
designed parts, splitting 16 the four or more designed parts to at least
two sets, a first set of one or more parts and a second set of three or
more different parts, producing 18 the three or more different parts of
that second set, and designing and producing 20 a group of three or more
pieces.

[0053] In some embodiments, method 5 is performed using at least one
computer code. The method further comprises integrating the parts and
pieces into a computerized game that enables manipulation of the parts
and pieces and assembly of the designed object. In one example, the parts
and pieces are designed using a computer aided design code, AUTOCAD for
example, and the integration is performed in a game engine. In another
example, all the steps of the method are performed in a game engine and a
player gets a stand alone computerized game to play with. In other
example, the computerized game may be played by a client computing device
connected on line to a server.

[0054] An exemplary designed rectangular object 21 is shown in FIG. 3a.
The four different designed parts 22, 24, 26 and 28 are different by
shape. The first set of one or more parts includes part 28, which is
adjacent prior to the dividing 14 to parts 22, 24 and 26 of the second
set of three parts. The group of pieces includes pieces 22&28, 24&28 and
26&28, shown in FIGS. 3b,3c and 3d, respectively. Piece 22&28 includes
part 28 and part 22, piece 24&28 includes part 28 and part 24, and piece
26&28 includes part 28 and part 26.

[0055] A puzzle game of the first embodiment includes a first group of
three different pieces 22&28, 24&28 and 26&28, and a second group of
three pieces, 22,24,26, which together form a united group of six pieces.
In one preferred embodiment the six pieces of the united group are
presented to a player together, without any clue regarding the division
to a first group and a second group. The game rules call the player to
select three pieces of the united group of pieces and assemble three
different assemblies that form a rectangle. Three different assemblies
are exemplified in FIGS. 3b, 3c and 3d. Each of the assemblies forms an
object, and the three formed objects are the same rectangular object 21
regarding external boundary. Each of the three different assemblies
includes one piece of the first group and two pieces of the second group.
Every piece of the united group is used at one or more of the three
assemblies.

[0056] The player may find the three successful assemblies by trial and
error. However, by trial and error the player may repeat certain
unsuccessful assembly combinations for several times each, which is quite
frustrating. Being more efficient, the player may use systematic thinking
and analysis talent to invoke two concepts which facilitate successful
assemblies.

[0057] The first concept is to use high school level combinatory theory
and find that the number of different combinations (or assemblies) of
three pieces out of six pieces is 20. Consequently, the player may enlist
the 20 combinations, and try every possible combination exactly one time.
Thus, playing the game may be used as an educational exercise or
manifestation of combinatory theory.

[0058] The second concept is to get insight into the structure of the six
pieces, and thus discover the design concept of a common part shared by
three pieces. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the player should reveal that
part 28 is common to 22&28, 24&28 and 26&28, and understand that every
combination should include one and only one piece out of 22&28, 24&28 and
26&28. Based on that insight, the player realizes that to get a
successful combination, he should select a first piece out of 22&28,
24&28 and 26&28, and then select two pieces out of 22,24,26 which two
pieces complement the first piece to a square.

[0059] In another version of the embodiment of FIG. 3, a player gets three
copies of frame 21: a first frame with 24, 26 and 22&28 as shown in FIG.
3b, a second frame with 26, 22 24&28 as shown in FIG. 3c, and a third
frame with 22, 24 and 26&28 as shown in FIG. 3d. Someone disassembles the
pieces out of the three frames, and the player has to reassemble them and
get three complete rectangular frames.

[0060] The pieces might be painted uniformly, painted differently for
different pieces or painted differently for each piece.

[0061] In some embodiments, the pieces of the united group are made of
cardboard. In one embodiment, the pieces are made of a magnetic material
and a compatible magnetic board is included in the game.

A Second Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 4

[0062] A second preferred embodiment of method 5 is described in FIG. 4,
wherein the chosen 12 object is square 30 consisting of 16 identical
cells. The square is divided 14 to five parts 32, 34,36,37 and 38. The
five parts are split 16 to two sets, a first set of two parts 37 and 38,
and a second set of three different parts 32,34 and 36. Part 37 is
adjacent to parts 34 and 36 in object 30 prior to the dividing 14.
Similarly, part 38 is adjacent to parts 32, 34 and 36 in object 30 prior
to the dividing 14.

[0063] Piece 34&37 of FIG. 4b is designed and produced 20 as a combination
of part 34 and part 37. Similarly, pieces 36&37, 32&38, and 36&38 of
FIGS. 4c,4d, and 4e, respectively, are designed and produced 20 by a
combination of a part of the first set with a part of the second set. One
more copy of each of the pieces 34&37 and 32&38 is also produced.

[0064] In some embodiments of the puzzle game, the puzzle game includes a
first group of three different pieces 32,34 and 36, and a second group of
six pieces which include pieces 36&37, 36&38, two pieces 34&37, and two
pieces 32&38. The following three assemblies may form the designed square
object:

[0065] In some embodiments the game is provided as the three assembled
squares formed by the assemblies a, b and c. The player or someone else
disassembles the squares into pieces and the player tries to assemble the
pieces into the original squares.

[0066] In some embodiments the game is provided as eight pieces 32, 34,
36, 36&37, 36&38,34&37,32&38 and a piece made of part 34 and part 38. The
game have rules which call the player to assemble as many as possible
different assemblies of three pieces out of the eight pieces and form a
square. There are 56 assemblies of three different pieces of eight
different pieces, and only four assemblies form a square object. The
identical cells of the square may relief the challenge as the user may
count the number of identical cells in a tried assembly and reject the
assembly immediately if the number is not 25.

A Third Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 5

[0067] A three-dimensional embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein the object is a 3×3×3 cube
composed of 27 identical cells. In one embodiment, a player gets a first
group of three different pieces 50*, 52* and 54*, and a second group of
six pieces, two pieces of each of 50, 52 and 54. FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c show
three combinations (assemblies) that could be assembled to form the cube:
pieces 50*, 52 and 54 in FIG. 5a, pieces 50, 52* and 54 in FIG. 4b, and
pieces 50, 52 and 54* in FIG. 4c. To find those combinations, the player
may write down all the possible combinations, count the identical cells,
reject the combinations which do not sum up to 27 cells, and finally
tries the combinations which sum up to 27 cells.

[0068] The player might also notice that each of the pieces 50*, 52* and
54*, is the respective piece 50, 52 and 54, with a L shaped part made of
three cubic cells. As the L part should appear in every successful
combination, the player might deduce that the successful combinations are
those of FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c.

[0069] In some embodiments of the cube puzzle, the game is provided as
three or more assembled cubes, of which three assemblies are different
from each other. Once disassembled, a player should assemble the three or
more cubes, as shown in FIG. 4. Note that each piece is assembled in at
least one assembly forming a cube.

[0070] In some embodiments, extra pieces that can not be assembled in any
assembly that forms a cube are also given to increase the challenge.

[0071] In some embodiments, only one set of pieces 50, 52 and 54 is
provided and only one assembly is possible at a time. In this case, the
game should include rules to guide the player towards the addressed
challenge.

[0072] In some embodiments, a two-party game is provided, including ten
assembled cubes, for example. Initially, the ten cubes are disassembled
to pieces and placed in a common pot. A player throws a die to decide on
the first player to pick a piece, and then each player takes a piece in
turn, assembles them to a cube, and lays the assembled cube one over
another to get a tower. The winner is the player with a taller tower.

[0073] In some embodiments, the pieces are made of wood. For example, the
pieces may be manufactured by gluing identical wooden cubes sold as raw
material in hobby stores.

[0074] In some embodiments, the pieces may be made of moldable material,
polymers and metal, for example.

A Fourth Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 6

[0075] FIG. 6 illustrates a method 60 for providing a puzzle game. Method
60 includes a step 62 of providing a first group of three or more pieces,
a step 64 of providing a second group of three or more pieces, and a step
66 of allowing to manipulate the pieces of a united group of pieces and
to assemble three or more different assemblies of pieces of the united
group of pieces. At least three of the three or more pieces of the first
group are different from each other by at least the piece shape. Each of
the pieces of the second group of three and more pieces are different in
shape from each of the pieces of the first group of three or more
different pieces. The united group of pieces consists of the first group
and the second group. Each of the assemblies forms an object, and the
three or more formed objects are substantially the same object regarding
external boundary. Each of the three or more different assemblies
includes at least one piece of the first group and at least one piece of
the second group.

[0076] In some embodiments, the game is a computerized game, and the
pieces and the formed objects are virtual articles that a player is able
to sense. In one embodiment, the pieces are drawn on a screen and the
player may displace each of them to pieces together, rotate each piece
through several axes of rotation, and thus bring pieces together and
integrate them into a cube. Those manipulation may be done with a mouse,
or by touching the screen in a touch screen, smart phone, etc. In other
embodiment, virtual reality techniques may enable `feeling` the touch of
the pieces.

Server-Client Embodiment

FIG. 7,8

[0077] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method 90 for a server providing a
puzzle game to a client computing device. Method 90 comprises providing
92 the client computing device a first group of three or more pieces,
providing 94 a second group of three or more pieces, and allowing 96
manipulation of the pieces of a united group of pieces and assembly of
three or more different assemblies of pieces selected of that united
group of pieces.

[0078] At least three of the pieces of the first group are different from
each other by at least the piece shape. Each of the pieces of the second
group is different in shape from each of the pieces of the first group.
The united group of pieces consists of the first group and the second
group. Each of the assemblies forms an object. The three or more formed
objects are substantially the same object regarding external boundary.
Each of the three or more different assemblies includes at least one
piece of the first group and at least one piece of the second group. The
puzzle cube game of FIG. 5 is an example of a game that a server may
provide to a client computing device.

[0079] In some embodiments, each piece is assembled in at least one of the
formed objects, which formed objects are substantially the same object
regarding external boundary.

[0080] In some embodiments, the method further includes interacting 98
with the client computing device during manipulation of the pieces of the
united group and during assembly of the three or more different
assemblies. For example only, the server may indicate by some tone or by
a jumping banner that an assembly which may form the object have been
assembled, and may indicate by another tone or another jumping banner
that a desired object have been actually formed. Also, as time elapses
without progress, the server may suggest a clue to make the challenge
easier. Providing a clue may be initiated by a player request as well.

[0081]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method 100 for a puzzle game in a client
computing device. The client computing device is associated with a
server, and the method 100 includes receiving 110 a first group of three
or more different pieces, receiving 112 a second group of three or more
pieces, manipulating 114 the pieces of a united group of pieces, and
assembling 116 three or more different assemblies of pieces of the united
group of pieces.

[0082] In some embodiments, the method further includes interacting 118
with the server during the manipulation of the pieces of the united group
and during assembly of the three or more different assemblies.

[0083] In some embodiments, the client computing device is selected from a
group consisting of personal computers, cellular phones, portable media
players and personal digital assistants.

[0084] In some embodiments, the formed object is selected from a group
consisting of cubes, spheres, cylinders, boxes, bars, pyramids, squares,
rectangle, triangles, trapezoids and disks.

[0085] In some embodiments, the server and the client computing are
connected through the world wide web network.

[0086] Having thus described the foregoing exemplary embodiments it will
be apparent to those skilled in the art that various equivalents,
alterations, modifications, and improvements thereof are possible without
departing from the scope and spirit of the claims as hereafter recited.
In particular, different embodiments may include combinations of features
other than those described herein. Accordingly, the claims are not
limited to the foregoing discussion. Although the invention has been
described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident
that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such
alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit
and broad scope of the appended claims.